IF the optical detection fails completely (e.g. because the optics are to dirty)...

I believe the "optical" sensor is using infrared signal and so is not blocked from dust (mud). I think the normal death of these pumps (excluding flooding with salt water or mud) would come either from rupture of the membrane or from Mosfet death that is probably operating the switching. I wonder how long is the life of these two components.

DISCLAIMER: All observations made in this post are mine and based solely on my own anecdotal experiences, and may contain large doses of facetiousness. YMMV, of course. You are "on your own", and I take no responsibility if someone tries anything in this post and gets into trouble with the law, damages their person or property, or goes blind. Take everything you read or hear "anywhere" butt especially on the Web with a large dose of salt.

I believe the "optical" sensor is using ultrared signal and so is not blocked from dust (mud). I think the normal death of these pumps (excluding flooding with salt water or mud) would come either from rupture of the membrane or from Mosfet death that is probably operating the switching. I wonder how long is the life of these two components.

Well.. you are correct, but mud is mud.. when there is enough mud, it will be blocked :-) (but then you just rinse it... np)

I haven't seen any membrane rupture. Old pumps (>50tkm) do sometimes pump a little less volume (membrane/valves do not close perfectly), but since the pump is about 3x oversized, that will not be a problem.
pomp-bearings wear! (the rod gets clearance)
I have seen the pump rod getting stuck from corrosion.

Mosfet has a 10 years lifespan in normal use... and that is how it is designed.

ps.: The mechanical switch (contact breakers) does actually do a great job: MTBF is around 3'000'000 switches (which is quite good for a mechanical switch switching a 8 Amp inductive load)... But: If the pump switches around 1x per second that still means after 1000h it is done... 1000 h is 50tkm / 30t miles and that is just not enough! (so failure by design)

Losses in the mosfet are negligible, so it doesn't heat (proper switching, the correct fet).
The only heat comes from the pump itself and the engine. basically the whole pump should not get over 90 C (~200F): then there are no problems for sure.

I also use the pump for Honda Africa-Twin, Transalp and Varadero: There the pump is mounted behind the cylinder... hence running a lot hotter: No problems there.

From my design I think the LED from the optical detection is the most critical part.
But hey.. what is the real 'operating time' on a bike: 100'000 kms is about 2000 hours : thats peanuts for electronics.

I have seen mechanical fuel pumps on cars getting their membrane torn at high milliages, that is why I brought this up. I refer to big milliage of 150k kms. I believe your device is pushing reliability to this kind of milliage. Thnx for that.
Cheers.

I have seen mechanical fuel pumps on cars getting thei membrane torn at high milliages, that is why I brought up this. I am talking for milliage of 150k kms. I believe your device is pusshing reliability to this kind of milliage. Thnx for that.
Cheers.

Ah thanks for the confidence on that !

I don't give 300'000km warranty, but if you make that with your 950, you get a free kit from me (If it is still available)

I replaced the melted points on an old 950 fuel pump with the optical solution from Dr Bean. An easy enough job thanks to the clear instructions.
The pump has been working flawlessly for thousends of km's.

I received my Dr. Bean pump by normal post. There was green custom's tape on the outside informing me that it had been opened and inspected. Everything looked good and was inside. Sometime in the next few months I'll get around to installing it.

I received my Dr. Bean pump by normal post. There was green custom's tape on the outside informing me that it had been opened and inspected. Everything looked good and was inside. Sometime in the next few months I'll get around to installing it.

Just checked the mailbox and my circuit kit was waiting for me. No indication of the envelope being opened by anyone before me. I'm installing it this afternoon and will document with photo images. Thanks for the hard work and consideration on your part, Doc.

__________________
-cp

DISCLAIMER: All observations made in this post are mine and based solely on my own anecdotal experiences, and may contain large doses of facetiousness. YMMV, of course. You are "on your own", and I take no responsibility if someone tries anything in this post and gets into trouble with the law, damages their person or property, or goes blind. Take everything you read or hear "anywhere" butt especially on the Web with a large dose of salt.